Slide fastener



Sept. 7, 1943..

l SLIDE FA'STBNER Filed Aug. 4`, 1941 4 gmc/rm L. w.` scHAAr-F 2,328,882I Patented Sept. 7,1943

lsums maman `man w. sensa'. .msm

to Waldes Kohl-Noor. Ina., Leng N. Y., a corporatlo'nof New AYon-lj y yArellano sumti. mi, `seem-1mg. 5,423 s claims. (ci. u ms) f,

This invention relates to improvements in slide fasteners and moreparticularly locking sliders therefor.

The present invention `contemplatesan im-` proved self-locking slider.of more or le'ss stand- Y ard design employing front and rear platesintegrally connected bya bridging connector portion, and which inoperation spreads the disengaged fastener elements fanwise. Whilesuggestions to this end have been heretofore advanced, such have notproved commercially practical, with the result that sliders of theso-called standard design usually employ extraneous locking `means whichadd to the overall bulk of the slider and are moreover unsatisfactory toa de- Sree, due to the likelihood of their impairment when garments towhich the fastener is applied are subjected torough treatment incleaning, ironing and the like.

Accordingly, one of the main objects' of the invention is to provide animproved,v commercially practical, and highly eifective slider of theselflocking type and which employs a sllder'bodyl of standard design.

The invention further aims to provide a. selfreadily releasable,irrespective of \whether or not the fastener stringers are underlongitudinal or lateral stresses and which further requires nospecialized manipulation of a pull tab or locking to improvedselfsemi-automatic assembling machines,

Fis. 3 is\a face view of the slider blank in accordance with ythepresent invention prior' to' final assembly -A r Fig. 4 is an edge viewof the blank illustrated in Fig. 3, with one side flange being brokenaway.

slider in accordance j Fig. 51s a side view ofa with theinventionfollowing unal assembly.

vlocking slider of the stated character which is mediate productionwithoutrequiring substantial retooling for its manufacture.

'I'he present invention further contemplates and provides a slider whichwhile following the standard design therefor, nevertheless employsconstructional features making the slider substantially crush proof toforces which would destroy the usefulness of standard sliders made bythe known practices.

Other objects will be in part obvious from the annexed drawing and inpart hereinafter indi-` cated in vconnection therewith analysis of theinvention.

In the drawingc Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a slide fasby thefollowing .being illustrated.

" Fig. 6 is a section through the slider taken on a line correspondingto lined-B of Fig.'3. .l

Fig. 7 is a sectionthrough the slider taken along a line correspondingto line 'l-'l of Fleta, spaced fastener elements within the slider bodyFig. 8 is a detail illustrating the preferred bform of securing rivet.

Fig. 9 is 'a detail illustrating a modiiled form of rivet. y

In the'drawing, wherein like referenceycharacters designate like partsthroughout the several views, the slider S of the present invention isshown as associated with conventional inter-fv locking' or fasteningelements I0, II arranged in row formation along the edges of opposedstringe' ers I 2. I3, the latter being in turn secured along the edgesof an opening formed ina garment or like article which is adapted to befclosed upon interlocking or meshing of the fastening elements. It is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to the use `of fastenerelements as shown, the latter being merely suggestive of slide fastenerelements of conventional construction.

The slider S is adapted to embrace 'the fastener elements in knownmanner and operates, when moved in one direction. generally upwardly, toprogressively force the elements vinto intergenerally bell-shapedcontour, and a connecting waist portion I8. Each of the platasIS, I 1.is

provided with marginal side vanges y2Il, `2I,and

- with each slider plate having, `bell-shapedcontener employing thestandard design. self-locking slider of the present invention. l Fig. 2is a longitudinal section through the slider illustrated in Fig. 1.

tour, the flanges 2Ii, 2| of a platel extend straightway for asubstantial distance from one end thereof, whereupon the flanges divergeoutwardly, and terminate ln stl'alghtwalrl end portions adjacent thewaist-like connecting portion I8 of the'blank. u"

In as assembly operation, the plates I6 and lwaist portion Il side ofthe,V body each side ofttlle slider the stringers- I2', .43.' -1

2 1f l1 are bent to extend parallel, withthe narrowed connecting bridgetherebetween. By reference to Figs. 20, 2| of the plates ar^such thatwhen the blank is bent to U shape. the `related flanges on each arespaced to provide slots along While the slider body solar describedis"of'ge`n; erally standard design or contour, it differs from slidersmade in accordance with the known practices by providing a novel form ofseparator which forming an integral U-shapeV 5, 6 and 7, the ldepth oithe side flanges nector and the other side-flange 2l.

for the Areception ,gfY

functions both as a divider for the' fastener elements and as a spacerand support lfor vthe' slider y To this end, each "plateportiorlo fplates I6, I1.

the blank has formed therein to extend from the relatively under facethereof an;, .integral-separa ltor half-section of elliptical shape, theellipticalA half sections a, 25b.having their majoraxes coincidingwiththevlpngitudinalaxispf the blank, Each separator section is.

face forfthfe flat face By reference to Figs. thatupon assmblyoftheblank, the separator sectlons25a, 25h each otherto provide a full-depthseparator genof adepth halfthat required for the completed wedge, ,andits end'v face is formed flat to provide an abutment surthe companionsection. 25 2,' 5, 6 and.7,lit will be seen are infregistry andfbearagainst y erally designated 25 which is operativeto perform V30 the dualfunctions as aforesaid. 'Ihe separator sections are each pierced toprovide a rectangular 4rivet opening 26.

Preferably the `blank is formed Acomplete in a multiple-step die whichin o ne step forms the blank with side wings which provide the sideflanges,'and in another die-forming step forms inI the blank the twoseparator half-sections 25a, Zlib,v and simultaneously therewith bendsthe wings to provide the marginal side flanges aforesaid. The separatorhalf-sections are punched to provide the rivet openings 26 either duringthe blanking out operation or in a subsequent forming operation. For nalassembly, a rivet 30, as illustrated in Fig. 8, is inserted into thealigned rivet openings 26 of the separator sections, and upon upsettingthe ends of vthe rivet, the slider plates I6 and l1 are securelydisposed in spaced parallel relation. Preferably, the relatively outerfaces of each of the blank plates is provided duringA forming ofits'separator half-section with a countersunk` recess 3| in one of whichthe enlarged head 32 of the rivet 30 is adapted to s eat. Thus, not onlyis firm seating of the v'rivet head against the outer face of thecountersunk recess obtained-uponv the final assembly, but also, due tothe'countersinking of the plates asaforesaid, a

slider'body of minimum. thickness is provided. further decrease thethickness of the sliderv To body,4 the rivet head 32 isprovided'with anoffset lib surethe pintle portion of a pull tab 34 against theouter faceslider; l i i 'By reference to Fig.- `9 Iwhereinfa modified form ofrivet/a is showmfthe rivet head 32a is offset as inthe Fig. 8.construction, and its outer end portion'33df is split for the insertionof thepulll tab pintlep Upon such insertion, the'split head is upset ordeformed slightly thereby .to perma@ nently secure the pull tab to therivet.

With the construction so far described it will be seen that the slider4body-is open-ended, having a relatively narrow tail opening lfor theentry and exit of the interlocked fastener elements, and

of the relatively front plate of the with two head openings for theentry and exit of the disengaged fastener elements, of which one`opening extends between one side of the connec- .tor I8 and the relatedside flange 20, and the other extends between the other side of the con-Said side flanges. in conjunction with the underfaces of the plates I6.'Il ofthe slider and the sides of the separator"125,.fornimY-shaped racefor the fastener elements having a relatively lower straightway portionfor the interlocked fastening elements, which in 'width corresponds tothe length y of twointerlocked elements plus sliding clearance,and'outwardly diverging branch portions, each ...opening -through"a.headopening and having a width corresponding.y generally to the length of`.one`f-fastener element plus sliding clearance.

.. Howevenidueto theqpell-shaped contour of the intermediate portions',lthan at their vend lportions. Accordingly, while the fastener'ele'mentsnormally follow 'a straight line path of travel in moving through therace branches, as indicated` in Fig. 2', the elements then disposed: inthe in-- termediate wider portion of each race branch arepermittedjlateral or relative outward movement when the strlngers aresubjected to lateral stress through the slider body, this for thepurpose to be hereinafter discussed. With the elements normally havingstraight line movement'through the race branches, as when the sliderbody is moved downwardly to open the fastener, the disengaged fastenerelements are spread fanwise, and thus the slider body so far describedis of standard design as respects its general shape and ability todispose the disengaged fastener ele` ments fanwise.

' Consideringnow one of the improved self- Alocking features of thepresent slider,` the straightway portions of the side flanges to theside of each head opening are sloped inwardly or towardsy the plane ofthe underfaces of the plates from which they extend. This willl be seenAfrom Figs.l5 and '7, wherein related or paired side flanges 20, 2| aresloped as at 20a, 20h and 2Ia, 2lb so that paired flanges form 50. adownwardly pointed funnel or V-shaped side like extension sa adaptedtocurve over and "9 edges lof the sloping flange portions providemoreopening adjacent each head openingof the slider body, said side openingsat their wide end having width corresponding to the spacing between theslider plates and converging to a narrow end of lesser depth than thatof the fastener elements. As shown, the flange sloping as aforesaidextends from about the junction of the diverging and upper straightwayportions of the flanges to the upper plate corners, at

which points the side flanges merge into the underface of their plates.The relatively inner Moreover, by reason of the V or funnel-shaping.

' of the side openings, fastener elements tending to spread outwardlyadjacent thereto are caused to move against the V-shaped locking edgesdelining the side openings and in some cases downwardly into the pointedends of the openings and are accordingly jammed or wedged thereinto.

Hence, bythe above-described arrangement of `side locking openings, theslider positively locks with adjacent fastener yelements as the lattertend to move outwardly under-f the influence of strains tending tospread the fastener, and uninend theA depth of the wider, intermediateportion of each race branch is reduced along the relatively outer sideedge thereof, in relation to its normal depth which is that required forfree sliding of the fastener elements therethrough,

to the end that adjacent fastener elements tending to move outwardlyunder lateral stresses applied through the slider body and particularlyvy through the upper half of the slider, are wedged within and therebyfrictionally held by the race branch portions of reduced' depth. 'I'hisreduction in the depth of the race branches along the outer side edgesof their intermediate portions is preferably accomplished through theprovision of definitely rounded flaring corners, as distinguished `fromright angler] corners, be-` tween the underfaces of the plates and theinner faces of the flanges extending therefrom. 'I'he rounded corneringis most pronounced at about the junction of the diverging and slopingportions of the side flanges, being indicated by the heavy shade lines-at the points designated a, b, c

`and d in Fig. 3, and by the similarly designated cornering indicatedin` cross section in Fig. 7.. From said points of extreme rounding, thecorners diminish in curvature towards the head openings until, at theirextreme upper corners, the plates are perfectly ilat (s ee Fig. ,6) asrequired for free sliding movement of the disengaged fasteners into and'out of the race branches.

depth along their outer sides, and preferably just `slightly less thanthe depth ofthe fastener elements moving through the race, adjacentfastener elements tending to move outwardly frictionally bind againstthe slider body so that relative movement between the body and the soheld fastener elements is precluded.

By reason of the shape of the slider race as described, the provision ofthe funnel-shaped side opening adjacent each 'head opening as well as ofthe definitely rounded cornering a, b, c, d provided within the fastenerrace, the slider is rendered inherently self-locking. 'I'his will beappreciated from a consideration of Fig. 2, from which it will be seenthat longitudinal stresses applied to the fastener tend to straightenout the fastener elements as they branch to the sides of the separator25. Under this condition the relatively inner ends of the interlockingelements tend to bind -against the sides of the separator with suilcientfriction that movement of the slider in opening direction is precluded.

When the fastener is subjected to lateral stresses applied just abovethe slider, for example, the fastener elements adjacent thefunnel-shaped openings to the side `of the head ,openings tend toratchet with the inner corners of said openings and/or to be wedged intothe more or less pointed ends of said openings with substantial frictionand, binding engagement.

,Accordingly opening movement of the slider under this condition ofstress is prevented.

When the fastener is subjected to lateral Thus,`with the widenedintermediate portions of the .race branches being of lesser stressesapplied directly through the slider, as would cause disengaged fastenerelements to the sides of the separatorf25 to move relatively outwardly,the fastener elements tend to bind against the definitely roundedcorners a, d or b,

c. When it is considered that such rounded cornering is formed on boththe Kupper and under plates of the slider, and that` the corneringresults in the reduction in thel depth of the race branches in theregion of the cornering, the aforesaid engagement of fastener elementstherewith is accompanied by a binding or wedging action, with the resultthat the slider is definitely locked to the so-bound fastener elementsand its movement relative thereto is prevented.

Despite the eilective self-locking provided by,

a slider constructedas in the foregoing, the slider is easily releasedirrespective of whether or not the fastener is under strain due tothefact that curved cornering act inr reverse manner to eifect releasewhen' the slider is moved downwardly, for example, to disengage thefastener elements.

This will ,be appreciated upon considering that movement ofthe sliderdownwardly causes the sloped ends 20a, 20h and 2|a, 2lb of the'ilangesto cam fastener elements tending to kinterlock therewith relativelyinwardly. The sameis true of the curved cornering portions a, b, c and dwhich, upon movement of the slider downwardly serve as cams forcingfastener elements tending to bind thereagainst in an inward direction.When cammed inwardly asv aforesaid, the fastener elements are free tomove through the race branch portions in normal manner.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a self-locking slider ofmore or less standard contour and design, while at the same timeproviding a self-locking slider of the stated characters which is ofimproved and commercially practical and assembly by known automatic andsemiautomatic machinery and hence is available for immediate productionwithout requiring retooling for its manufacture. Moreover, sliders inaccordancev with the invention possess relatively great structuralstrength by reason of the separator construction which functionscumulatively with the connecting bridge I8 to maintain the slider platesin their intended parallel relation, even` under crushing pressures thatwould impair if not destroysliders manufactured by theknown processes.This resistance to crushing pressure results to a large degree fromtherelatively large area abutment surfaces provided by the ellipticalformation of the separator half-sections and the spacing of theseparator from the connecting bridge in the direction of the geometricalcenter of the slider body.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructionswithout departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown 'in theaccompanying drawing shall ing sense.

I claim: 1 1. A self-locking slider for slide fasteners comprisingspaced plates having depending side lboth the funnel-shaped sideopenings and the form. Such a slider is capable oi production` beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limitother to their flanges toprovide outer branch 5v lengths of reduced depth into which the outerends of the fastener elements, which'latter tend to move outwardly fromsaid branch portions of v normal depth under the influence of lateralstress applied throughthe fastener, arev wedgedvand' 10 thereby lockedto the slider. v

2. A self-locking slider for slide fasteners com- J prising -spacedplates having depending. side flanges, and a separator spacing saidplates and forming with the plates and side flanges an elon- 'gatedracefor the fastener elements having diverging branch portions disposedto the sides of the separator whose normal width and depth is thatrequired forfree sliding movement of the elements therethrough, saidcplates for a portion of their height being of greater width than thatrequired to provide race branch portions dimenf sioned as aforesaid, theunder faces of the extrawide portions of said plates merging into theinner surfaces of their depending side flanges in g5 such manner las toprovide outer branch lengths of reduced .depth into which the outer endsof the fastener elements, which latter tend to move outwardly from saidbranch portions of normal depth under the` lnuence of lateral stressapplied through the fastener, are wedged and thereby locked to theslider.

3. A self-locking slider for slide fasteners comprising spaced plateshaving depending side flanges, and a separator spacingjsaid .plates andforming with the plates and side;` flanges an elongated race for the.fastener elements having diverging branch portions disposed to thesides of the separator whose normal width andjdepth is that required forfree sliding movement of the 4 elements therethrough, said plates for aportion of their heightbeing of greater width than that required toprovide racebranch'portions dimenrsioned as aforesaid, the under faces'of the extrawide portions of said plates beingconnected'to 45 the innerfaces of the depending side anges by rounded corners,v thereby toprovide outer. branchv `portions of reduced depth into which .the outerl ends of the'fastener elements, which latter tend V.elongated race forthe fastener elements having diverging branch portions disposed to thesides of the separator, the upper ends of the related side flangescooperating to provide locking cornersfor locking vwith disengagedfastener elements tending to movel sldewardly. in emerging from theslider-under the inuence of the component of lateral stress applied tothe fastener abovefand through the'upper end of the slider, and saidplates cooperating along a substantial portion of their length toprovide a race portion ofdepth less than that of the fastener elementsfor locking disengaged fastener elements 'then within the race branch`portions and which tend to move outwardly within the race in responseto the component of lateral stress applied through the slider proper.

5. IA self-locking slider for slide fasteners comprising spakzed plateshaving depending side flanges, a separator spacing said plates andforming with the plates and side flanges thereof an elongated race forthe fastener elements having diverging branch portions disposed to thesides o through the upper end of the slider, and said plates' havingextra width for a portion of their length and under faces in saidextra-wide portion which slope towards each other to their side flangesthereby A'to provide race portions of reduced depth into' which thefastener elements thenwithin the race tend to wedge in'moving outwardlyin response-:to the component of lateral stress applied through theslider proper.

i u LOUIS W. SCHAQAFF.

